Thursday, April 10, 2014

The original KISS lineup was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame at a ceremony at New York’s Barclays Center on Thursday, and fan-filmed video of the band’s speeches is available.

"You can kiss my KISS-loving ass because KISS wasn't a critics' band,” said Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello in his opening remarks. “It's the people's band. Tonight proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the high school bullies and critics were wrong. KISS fans were right. Impact, influence and awesomeness — KISS have all three in spades. Tonight, this isn't the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame….it's the Rock And Roll All Nite And Party Every Day Hall Of Fame."

The four members each took a turn at the mic, with Gene Simmons starting things off by thanking the fans for their support before delivering some kind words about each of the members in the band’s 40-year history.

Drummer Peter Criss was up next with a list of thanks while declaring himself 7-years free of breast cancer.

Ace Frehley recalled his first guitar and the feeling that he was going to do something big in the music industry; he also declared himself 7.5 years sober and stressed the need for education about issues regarding addiction.

Paul Stanley was the last to speak, again thanking the fans for their long-term support while listing off his musical inspirations. The frontman then made an effort to explain that KISS’ induction is an indication that fans want a say in the nomination and selection process.

“They don’t want to be spoon-fed by a handful of people," said Stanley. "The people pay for tickets; the people buy albums; the people who nominate – do not. Let’s not forget that these are the people (pointing to the crowd in the cheap seats) who make it all possible; we just benefit from it.”

HBO will broadcast the 29th annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony on May 31.